‘I’m going over the glen to get some gooseberries’ I shout as I head out on the bike, encouraged by the summery weather to be outside as much as possible. There is no wind and the sun has been baking the countryside for two days; the air smells of sweet hay and flowers, warm earth and stone. I see a fig tree I’ve never noticed before in someone’s back yard, banks full of blossoming meadowsweet and as I focus on the steep hill ahead, I hear buzzards calling their young, urging them to join them, circling in the sky.
Once at the top I find the gooseberries, they don’t look ripe yet so I try one, its sourness is overwhelming, I pull the bike to the other side of the road to grab a few contemplative minutes on my own with the vast expanse of the glen ahead of me and out to the sea of Moyle beyond. The ground here has been disturbed recently and happily I find some pineapple weed growing, I feel comforted that it hasn’t been a wasted journey. I have a new notebook and sit with my pencil poised, I watch the turbine spin as I think about my summer intentions.
I write a few words, three direct points, a short list.
With a bit of real summer weather we forget the sideways rain and cold from the week before, we easily walk around barefoot and look for the sunscreen where last week we contemplated lighting the fire and putting the heat on. And then there’s the eating; lots of outside summery meals, at last.
Grilled courgette and focaccia with LOADS of garlicky olive oil, salt, fennel and sage flowers.
Toasted rye with poached eggs, rocket, basil, rocket flowers, courgette flowers, greek yoghurt, parmesan and kimchi.
Dara’s pizza with radish, courgette and pistachio.
We’re working our way slowly through the children’s summer list and I suddenly thought that maybe I should have a summer list of my own, to choose ten things I’d really like to do before the start of term in September. These were the ten that came to mind with very little contemplation. I love a list, especially ticking it off.
1. Swim as much as possible
I’m taking my swimsuit with me to work everyday so I can stop off for a splash on the way home. I loved cycling to the beach this week and having a swim then cycling home, two thirds of a triathalon!
2. Eat Summer fruit at every opportunity
The strawberries are already coming to an end and I feel a little panicked that I didnt eat enough so I’m making sure to appreciate nectarine, peach, blueberries, raspberries and currants.
3. Visit Castle Ward, one of my favourites
A beautiful National Trust property on Strangford Lough, I have such beautiful nostalgic memories of this place and love the walks around the estate, a long drive but worth it for a full fun day out.
4. Have a party in the garden with friends
My parents always threw such great parties and I love to host, getting friends together in the garden with food and drink is a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon.
5. Go out in town with girlfriends
Need I say more? The sisterhood bond, the cosy pub, the pint of dubh.
6. Restart the Saturday pint after work with Dara
This was the highlight of our week for a while, a catch up in the quiet, vital.
7. Have a day at my parents with my brothers & partners & lots of lovely food
Sorry mum that usually means a lot of work for you but there’s nothing we love more than all being together in the noisy, beautiful chaos.
8. Take the kids to the Giants Causeway after hours, the best way to see it
This is the way I used to see the Causeway perched on dads shoulders or skipping along the cliff path. A vivid sunset on the hexagonal basalt looking out to Donegal is hard to beat.
9. Have a weekend in Donegal
Beaches, chips and ice cream. Already booked it!
10. Be better at resting and relaxing
Working on it and gettng better, yoga, breathing, reframing and saying no
I think you should write a list too, we can be distacted by saving for a holiday, centring activities around the children, looking after family members, working harder for longer and then all of a sudden it’ll be autumn and it’s all gone for another year. Do it now xxx
Ciara, I presume the hot day was back in May? I’m currently wearing a woolen cardigan over my dress in JULY !! Please tell me that all the time you traipse around the countryside has given you super weather predictions for August!!
Christina, enjoy the heat, how I’d love to feel it!
Love your summer list. Good idea. I’m looking up images of Giant’s Causeway and Donegal for my own enjoyment. Sadly, summer here in Nashville, Tennessee is hard to enjoy because it’s so very hot. It’s been in the mid 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) all week. While I love to garden, I’ve been staying in this week and enjoying the air conditioning. My favorite Nashville seasons are Spring and Fall. Thank you so much for sharing your days and thoughts with us all.